How to Boost Your Marketing Strategy with LinkedIn Advertising

With over 830 million users, LinkedIn is the go-to place to connect with wealthy clients and key decision-makers in finance. What makes LinkedIn especially useful for wealth advisors is its ability to target ads. 

You can reach potential clients based on their job titles, industries, or even how senior they are, which helps in getting your message to the right people and building your brand.

Being a wealth advisor, you have to earn trust, show your financial expertise, and guide clients through complex decisions. Having a solid presence on LinkedIn can really pay off. 

LinkedIn’s advertising options help you showcase your expertise, share client success stories, and highlight the specific financial strategies you implemented. 

In this article, we'll explore how this platform can be beneficial for your firm and how you can maximize your LinkedIn ads to establish authority in the financial industry.

What is LinkedIn Advertising?

LinkedIn advertising helps wealth advisors in expanding their client base. Unlike traditional advertising channels, LinkedIn offers a unique platform where professionals connect, share insights, and seek services.

LinkedIn differs from other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram because it is designed with professionals in mind. 

Users on LinkedIn are typically more focused on business-related content, making it an ideal space for wealth advisors to promote their services. 

As a wealth advisor, you want to target individuals who are likely to need your services—think high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and corporate leaders. 

LinkedIn allows you to do just that with its advanced targeting features. You can tailor your ads to reach people based on their job titles, industries, and even specific companies for higher quality leads and better conversion rates.

The Impact of LinkedIn Advertising for Wealth Advisors

So, why should you, as a wealth advisor, consider LinkedIn Advertising? Here’s why:

Targeting High-Net-Worth Individuals and Business Owners

High-net-worth individuals and business owners have a unique set of financial concerns. They’re seeking advisors who can help with tax optimization, business succession planning, and international investments. 

HNWIs typically have huge assets under management, meaning they offer more revenue potential for your advisory services. For example, someone with $5 million in assets is likely to generate more business than a client with a smaller portfolio.

The financial situations of HNWIs and business owners are often intricate. They may need advice on managing multiple income streams, navigating the sale of a business, or setting up trusts for future generations. 

Wealthy individuals and successful business owners also often have extensive networks. Serving one client well may help you gain referrals to others in their circle who have similar financial needs. 

But, how does LinkedIn help you reach this audience?

LinkedIn allows you to target ads based on specific job titles, such as CEO, CFO, or business owner. This means you can focus your advertising on individuals who are likely to have significant assets and complex financial needs.

You can also target your ads to specific industries where wealth is concentrated, such as finance, technology, or real estate. 

HNWIs and business owners often reside in specific geographic areas, such as major metropolitan regions or affluent suburbs. LinkedIn’s geographic targeting lets you hone in on these areas to ensure that your ads are seen by the right audience.

Building Credibility and Trust

Clients need to feel confident that their advisor has the knowledge, experience, and integrity to manage their assets. 

A lack of trust can be a dealbreaker, no matter how good your services are. This is especially true for high-net-worth individuals and business owners, who often have complex financial needs and a lot at stake.

One of the best ways to build credibility on LinkedIn is by sharing your knowledge. 

Regularly posting articles or updates about financial trends, investment strategies, or market analysis can position you as a thought leader in the wealth management industry. The more valuable content you share, the more you reinforce your expertise.

Lead Generation Tool

Unlike other social media platforms where users might be browsing casually, LinkedIn’s audience is more likely to be in a professional mindset, which makes them more receptive to financial services.

LinkedIn’s user base consists of professionals, business leaders, and decision-makers. These are exactly the kind of people who are likely to need wealth management services. 

You can narrow down your audience based on job title, company size, industry, location, and more. This means your ads are more likely to reach individuals who are not just interested in financial services, but are also in a position to take action.

Setting Up a LinkedIn Advertising Account

Before you can start running ads on LinkedIn, you need to set up a LinkedIn Campaign Manager account. This platform acts as your control center for all LinkedIn advertising activities. 

1. Create a LinkedIn Account

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn account, this is your first step. Your LinkedIn account will be linked to your Campaign Manager, so make sure it’s set up with a professional profile that reflects your wealth management services.

2. Access Campaign Manager

Once your LinkedIn account is active, navigate to the LinkedIn Campaign Manager. 

You can access it by clicking on the "Work" icon in the top right corner of your LinkedIn homepage and selecting "Advertise."

3. Create a Campaign Group

Campaign Groups in LinkedIn Campaign Manager allow you to organize your ad campaigns. This is particularly useful if you’re running multiple campaigns targeting different audiences, such as high-net-worth individuals versus business owners. 

Start by creating a campaign group that aligns with your overall marketing strategy.

4. Set Your Objective

LinkedIn will prompt you to choose a campaign objective. For wealth advisors, common objectives might include lead generation, website visits, or brand awareness. The objective you choose will influence how your ads are displayed and how their performance is measured.

5. Define Your Target Audience

This step is critical. LinkedIn allows you to define your audience based on criteria such as job title, company size, industry, geographic location, and more. 

For wealth advisors, you can specifically target individuals who are likely to need your services, such as CEOs, entrepreneurs, or high-income professionals.

6. Choose Your Ad Format

LinkedIn offers several ad formats, each suited to different objectives. We’ll discuss these in more detail below, but the key is to choose a format that best aligns with your campaign goals and the type of content you want to promote.

7. Set Your Budget and Schedule

LinkedIn Advertising operates on a bidding system, where you can choose between cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression (CPM) models. 

You’ll also need to set your daily or total budget and determine how long you want your ads to run. For wealth advisors, it’s often best to start with a controlled budget and scale up as you see positive results.

8. Launch and Monitor Your Campaign

Once everything is set, you can launch your campaign. However, the work doesn’t stop there. Use LinkedIn Campaign Manager to monitor the performance of your ads, making adjustments as necessary to improve targeting, messaging, and overall effectiveness.

Setting up your LinkedIn Campaign Manager account is the first step towards reaching a professional audience with your ads. It’s important to take your time with this setup process to ensure that your campaigns are aligned with your business goals.

Types of LinkedIn Ads

Choosing the right ad type can make a huge difference in how you reach and engage your target audience. Below, we’ll explore the key LinkedIn ad formats that are particularly well-suited for wealth management professionals:

Video Ads

Video ads are ideal for wealth advisors who want to convey complex information in an engaging way. These ads appear in the LinkedIn feed and autoplay as users scroll, which helps capture attention. 

Image Source: https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/native-advertising/video-ads

Video content is particularly powerful because it can tell a story more effectively than text or images alone.

You may consider using Video Ads to explain the benefits of a diversified investment portfolio or to share a client success story. The visual nature of video helps make complex financial concepts more accessible and memorable. 

Short videos—under two minutes—tend to perform best, as they maintain viewer interest while delivering a concise message.

Video ads also allow for more creativity in your advertising. You can use animations, interviews, or even simple slideshows to convey your message and build brand awareness.

Sponsored Content

Sponsored content is effective for building brand awareness and driving content engagement. Since the ads appear in the same format as organic posts, they tend to receive higher interaction rates, such as likes, shares, and comments.

Image Source: https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/marketing-solutions/resources/pdfs/sponsored-inmail-overview.pdf

This ad type allows wealth advisors to share valuable content, such as articles, videos, or whitepapers, directly with their target audience. The content appears as a regular post that makes it less intrusive and more engaging.

For example, you can use sponsored content to promote a detailed guide on tax-efficient investment strategies. The ad could include a brief summary of the guide, with a call to action encouraging users to download the full document.

Sponsored InMail

Sponsored InMail offers a more personalized approach by allowing you to send direct messages to LinkedIn users. Unlike traditional email marketing, sponsored InMail messages are only delivered when the user is active on LinkedIn, which increases the likelihood of your message being seen and read.

You could use Sponsored InMail to invite business owners to a webinar on retirement planning. The message would appear in their LinkedIn inbox for a direct and personal way to engage with them.

Text Ads

Text ads are a cost-effective option for wealth advisors. These ads appear in the sidebar of LinkedIn pages and consist of a brief headline, a short description, and an optional small image.

Image Source: https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/success/best-practices/text-ads-tips

They might not be as visually striking as other ad types, but they are effective for driving traffic to your website or landing page.

For example, if you’re offering a free consultation, a Text Ad could feature a compelling headline like “Get Expert Financial Advice Today.” 

While Text Ads are less engaging than other formats, they are highly targeted, meaning they still reach the right audience. They are particularly useful for wealth advisors looking to test the waters with LinkedIn advertising on a smaller budget.

Carousel Ads

Carousel ads offer a unique way to present multiple pieces of content within a single ad. Each ad contains a series of cards that users can swipe through, with each card featuring its own image, text, and link.

Image Source: https://www.linkedin.com/business/marketing/blog/linkedin-ads/introducing-carousel-ads-on-linkedin

You could use Carousel Ads to illustrate the steps in their financial planning process. Each card could represent a different stage, from the initial consultation to the ongoing management of the client’s portfolio. 

The interactive nature of carousel ads is especially useful for campaigns that require more in-depth explanation or when you want to showcase a range of services in a single ad.

How to Create Effective LinkedIn Advertising Campaigns

An effective LinkedIn advertising campaign should be more than just selecting the right ad format. You must create a strategy that aligns with your firm’s goals, targets the right audience, and delivers a compelling message. 

Below, we’ll walk through the key steps to creating a successful LinkedIn advertising campaign:

Define Your Advertising Goals

Any successful advertising campaign starts with defining your specific goals. What do you want to achieve with your LinkedIn ads? Having a clear objective guides the creation of your ads and helps in measuring their success. 

For wealth advisors, common objectives might include generating leads, increasing brand awareness, or driving traffic to a specific service page.

If your goal is lead generation, you might focus on promoting a free consultation or a downloadable guide that requires contact information. 

For brand awareness, your ads might highlight your expertise in financial planning or showcase client success stories. 

Traffic-driven campaigns could direct potential clients to a detailed landing page outlining your services.

For example, if your goal is to generate leads, success would be measured by the number of qualified prospects who fill out a form or sign up for a consultation.

Audience Targeting

As a wealth advisor, you’ll want to ensure your ads reach the right people—those who are most likely to need and benefit from your services.

LinkedIn allows you to target users based on their job titles and the industries they work in. This means you can specifically reach out to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, or corporate executives who are more likely to require financial planning and investment advice.

For example, targeting job titles like "CEO," "CFO," or "business owner" in industries such as finance, technology, or real estate can help you connect with individuals who have assets and complex financial needs.

Company size can also be a useful targeting criterion. Larger companies often mean wealthier executives, so focusing on employees at mid-to-large-sized companies can help you reach a more affluent audience.

Wealth advisors often work within specific geographic areas, particularly when offering personalized financial planning services. LinkedIn allows you to target users based on their location, whether you’re focusing on a specific city, state, or even zip code.

Craft Effective Ad Copy

Once you’ve defined your goals and identified your target audience, it’s time to create that compelling ad copy. 

Effective ad copy doesn’t just talk about what you do—it speaks directly to the needs of your potential clients. Consider what your target audience is looking for. Are they concerned about retirement? Are they seeking advice on investment strategies? 

Your ad copy should clearly communicate your expertise in wealth management. You can mention your years of experience, your track record in managing large portfolios, or your specific areas of specialization, such as retirement planning or tax optimization.

Your ad might say, “With over 20 years of experience in wealth management, we specialize in helping high-net-worth individuals secure their financial future.”

Every ad should have a clear call to action (CTA) that tells the audience what to do next. Whether it’s downloading a guide, scheduling a consultation, or attending a webinar, the CTA should be direct and easy to follow.

A strong CTA could be as simple as, “Schedule your free consultation today,” or “Download our exclusive investment guide.”

Choose the Right Ad Format

As discussed earlier, LinkedIn offers various ad formats, each suitable for different campaign goals. Once you have your ad copy ready, choose the format that best suits your objective.

  • Sponsored content is ideal for promoting articles, videos, or whitepapers that build brand awareness and engage your audience
  • Sponsored InMail is perfect for direct outreach, where you want to send personalized messages inviting potential clients to take a specific action
  • Text ads can be a cost-effective way to drive traffic to a landing page with a simple, direct message
  • Video ads work well when you want to explain complex financial concepts in a more engaging way
  • Carousel ads are useful for telling a multi-part story or highlighting different aspects of your services in one ad

Each format has its strengths, so it’s important to match your format to your campaign goals and the type of content you’re promoting.

Budgeting and Bidding Strategies

Setting a budget and choosing the right bidding strategy is essential to the success of your LinkedIn advertising campaign. 

LinkedIn offers different bidding options, such as cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-impression (CPM), allowing you to control how you spend your budget.

If you’re new to LinkedIn advertising, it’s often best to start with a smaller budget. This allows you to test different ad formats, targeting options, and messaging to see what works best for your audience.

Once you identify the most effective strategies, you can gradually increase your budget to maximize results.

LinkedIn’s bidding system allows you to set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for each click or impression. Bidding too low might result in your ads not being shown, while bidding too high could lead to overspending. It’s important to find a balance that aligns with your budget and campaign goals.

For wealth advisors, bidding on a CPC basis might be more effective if your goal is to drive traffic to a landing page or generate leads, while CPM might be better suited for brand awareness campaigns.

Monitor and Optimize Your Campaign

Once your campaign is live, monitor its performance and make adjustments as needed. LinkedIn’s Campaign Manager provides detailed analytics that allow you to track key performance metrics such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and overall ROI.

If you notice that certain ads or targeting options are performing better than others, don’t hesitate to tweak your campaign. This might involve adjusting your audience targeting, refining your ad copy, or reallocating your budget to focus on the highest-performing ads.

Continuous optimization is key to ensuring that your LinkedIn advertising campaign remains effective and delivers the best possible results.

Expand Your Network with Strategic LinkedIn Ads

Looking to boost your presence on LinkedIn and connect with the right financial professionals?

Feeling overwhelmed with setting up your first LinkedIn ad? We understand it can be a lot, especially with everything else on your plate. Let us handle it for you.

At AUM Growth Marketing, we specialize in creating LinkedIn ad campaigns that capture attention, build your brand's credibility and engage directly with your target audience.

We focus on designing paid campaigns that stand out in the LinkedIn feed, perfectly complementing your organic Linked optimization efforts for a cohesive marketing strategy.

Interested in taking your LinkedIn activity to the next level? Contact us today and let’s drive your professional growth together!

Aaron B. Watson

A Husband, Father, and Business Owner. He is also a Digital Marketer and Finance Nerd with over a decade of lead generation experience managing a results-driven marketing agency for Wealth Management Companies. Aaron loves studying marketing, markets, video production, and strategy to better serve his clients.

Learn more about Aaron Watson